Economy
Nigerians React As Court-Trial Commences On Former CBN Governor-Emefiele And Ex-Aviation Minister-Sirika (Details)
The prosecution commenced trial on Tuesday, May 28, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in two criminal cases involving former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika….CONTINUE READING
Emefiele was, on May 15 arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih on a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the charge, marked: CR/264/2024 Emefiele is among others, accused of approving the printing of new naira notes between October 2022 and March 2023 without recourse to due process of law.
Sirika and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika are facing a 10-count charge bordering on contract fraud in respect of which they were arraigned on May 23 before Justice Suleiman Belgore.
The ex-minister and his brother (staff of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources) were arraigned with two companies – Enginos Nigeria Limited, and Samahah Integrated Investments Limited.
In the Emefiele case, the prosecution called its first witness, Ahmed Bello Umar, who said he retired in July last year as the Director of Currency Operations at the CBN.
Umar explained the management structure of the CBN and the process of approval for the redesign of naira notes.
The witness detailed the procedures involved in the issuance of new notes and coins by the CBN.
At that point, the prosecution requested an adjournment to attend the burial programmes for the late former Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde.
Defence lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) did not oppose the prosecution’s request for an adjournment, following which Justice Anenih adjourned further proceedings till Wednesday afternoon.
In the trial of Sirika and others, the prosecution also called its first witness, Musa Odiniya, who retired on May 5 last year as the Director of Procurement in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Odiniya took the court through the procurement procedure in the ministry and the process for the award of the contract.
The witness’ testimony ended abruptly when the prosecution requested an adjournment to attend Lamorde’s burial events.
The defence lawyers did not object to the prosecution’s request for adjournment, following which Justice Belgore adjourned till 9 am on Wednesday.
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